Balancing Holiday Cheer with Cybersecurity: A Tech-Leader Perspective

As the holiday season approaches, it’s a time of joy, celebration, and giving. However, it’s also a time when cybercriminals are on the prowl, hoping to steal some of your digital cheer. As a leader in technology, it is essential to be proactive about cybersecurity preparedness and ensure that your organization’s online activities are safe and secure. In this article, we will explore the potential threats that can arise during the holiday season and provide you with valuable tips on how to stay protected.

The Increased Risk during the Holidays

The holiday season brings about unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. Hackers are well aware that people are often distracted by holiday festivities, making them more susceptible to falling victim to cyberattacks. According to a Darktrace report, there is a 30 percent increase in the average number of ransomware attacks over the holiday period compared to the monthly average. Additionally, there is a 70 percent average increase in attempted ransomware attacks in November and December compared to January and February. With these statistics in mind, it is crucial for organizations to remain vigilant during this time.

Hackers Don’t Take a Holiday

While many people take time off during the holidays, cybercriminals see it as an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities. They thrive on holidays when everyone is out of the office and off the network. They also know there are end of year deadlines and people are under pressure to complete tasks in a hurry and are more likely to follow a Phishing attack and pay less attention to details.

The Basics of Cybersecurity

During the holiday season, with all the distractions and festivities, it’s easy to neglect the cybersecurity basics. As an organizational leader it is crucial to remind your team and employees to stay focused and adhere to the fundamental principles of cybersecurity.

Regular Patching

Regular patching is a critical aspect of maintaining cybersecurity. It involves applying updates and fixes to software and systems to address known vulnerabilities. Ensure that your organization has a robust patch management process in place. Regularly update and patch all software and systems to minimize the risk of exploitation by cybercriminals. Vulnerability lists called CVEs are readily available and a good source to find systems that need patching.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your organization’s login process. It requires users to provide multiple pieces of evidence to verify their identity, such as a password and a unique code sent to their mobile device. Implementing MFA across your organization significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Extra Vigilance

During the holiday season, it’s crucial to be extra vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity. Remind your team and employees to be cautious about clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments in emails. Hackers often impersonate favorite retailers, couriers, holiday events, and payment services to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information. Encourage your team to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity immediately.

User Training

User training is an essential component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. It is crucial to educate your team and employees about the risks associated with cyber threats and provide them with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential attacks. Conduct regular training sessions to refresh their understanding of cybersecurity best practices, particularly during the holiday season when the risk of falling victim to phishing attempts is higher.

Protecting Personal and Financial Data

During the holiday season, personal and financial data are prime targets for cybercriminals. It is also crucial to ensure that your organization has robust measures in place to protect this sensitive information.

Limit the Sharing of Personal Information

Encourage your team and employees to be cautious about sharing personal information online. Remind them to review the privacy settings on their social media profiles and avoid oversharing details in online surveys or quizzes. By limiting the exposure of personal information, individuals can reduce the risk of identity theft and unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Monitor Bank and Credit Card Statements

Regularly monitoring bank and credit card statements for suspicious activity is crucial, especially during the holiday season. Encourage your team and employees to review their statements carefully and report any unauthorized transactions immediately. Prompt action can help mitigate the potential damage caused by cybercriminals.

Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing Attempts

Phishing attempts are particularly prevalent during the holiday season. Cybercriminals often impersonate trusted entities, such as favorite retailers or payment services, to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information. It is essential to educate your team and employees about the signs of phishing attempts and how to avoid falling victim to them.

Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Emails or Messages

Encourage your team and employees to be skeptical of unsolicited emails or messages. Remind them to check the sender’s email address for any inconsistencies or suspicious elements. Cybercriminals often use email addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones to deceive individuals. By exercising caution, your team can avoid falling into phishing traps.

Verify the Authenticity of Requests for Personal or Financial Information

Remind your team and employees to verify the authenticity of requests for personal or financial information. Encourage them to contact the organization directly using verified contact information rather than responding to the message or clicking on any provided links. By adopting this practice, individuals can avoid inadvertently providing sensitive information to cybercriminals.

Securing Your Devices

Securing all devices within your organization is crucial to maintaining cybersecurity. As a tech-leader, it’s essential to implement the following measures:

Keep Operating Systems and Software Up to Date

Regularly update and patch operating systems, software, and antivirus programs to protect your organization’s devices from known vulnerabilities. Ensure that your team and employees are aware of the importance of keeping their devices up to date and provide them with guidance on how to do so effectively.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, encourage your team and employees to use a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts internet traffic, ensuring that sensitive data transmitted over public networks remains secure. By using a VPN, individuals can minimize the risk of their data being intercepted by cybercriminals.

Regularly Back Up Data

Regularly backing up data is an essential practice in maintaining cybersecurity. Encourage your team and employees to regularly back up their data to avoid data loss in case of a security breach. Implementing automated backup solutions can help streamline this process and ensure that critical data is always protected. Adding a robust backup strategy that includes air gapped storage is a necessity for ensuring a recovery plan that will get your company back on its feet.

The Importance of Cybersecurity during the Holiday Season

While the holiday season brings the promise of joy and togetherness, it also presents an opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit our festive spirit. As a Tech-Leader, it is your responsibility to ensure that your organization adopts good cybersecurity practices to protect your digital assets and maintain the trust of your clients and partners. By proactively addressing the unique challenges of the holiday season and implementing the tips and best practices discussed in this article, you can enjoy a safe and secure holiday season, protecting your organization’s digital cheer and ensuring peace of mind as you celebrate with loved ones.

Stay vigilant, stay safe, and have a happy and secure holiday season!